Last evening our Alvin C York Chapter observed a Dinner meeting at the Mount Vernon Restaurant in the St. Elmo section of Chattanooga. We were privileged to have our spouses and mates attend with us. We had 25 people in attendance. Colonel Tom McConnell, Director, Hamilton County Schools JROTC program, was our guest speaker. Colonel McConnell gave us a practical test on our personal knowledge about JROTC. The quizz with answers link can be accessed below. Tom shared stories of inspiration about how young men and women’s lives have been transformed by their involvement with JROTC and by the dedicated instructors who have influenced young people’s lives for good. Andy Forrester testified to the powerful influence Irv Boatwright had on his life as a youth in the Ooltewah High School JROTC program. Andy became the first paratrooper and the first graduate to go to combat from that program. We were also blessed to have a very special guest from Nashville, TN. He is Laotian General Officer, MG Khambang Sibounheuang. Gen. KB as he prefers to be called is a personal friend of Andy Forrester and Roger Taylor, two officers in our chapter. He is a life member of the following organizations: 82nd Airborne Association; United States Special Forces Association; and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He has an A- License in Skydiving. He was wounded twice during the Viet Nam Era with White Star Unit 1960-61. He participated with 5th Group in Project 404 1964-65 and with Covert Operations Case Officer Eli Chavez 1970-1974. He authored the book: The White Dragon Two.

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Douglas Stephenson is a retired US Army Chaplain. LTC Stephenson served with the 82nd Airborne Division in the 2/504 Abn Inf and the 325 Abn Infantry. He is also a Special Forces qualified officer having served with the 5th SFG and with HQ, SF Command.